Fort Smith Policy Shapers Honing Vision Statement

Fort Smith’s Comprehensive Plan steering committee was given a homework assignment Thursday to pore over a draft vision statement for the city.

Fort Smith’s Comprehensive Plan steering committee was given a homework assignment Thursday to pore over a draft vision statement for the city.

The 28-member committee, tasked with updating the city’s 11-year-old Comprehensive Plan, met at the River Park Events Building downtown to peruse the draft and discuss community feedback gathered from public forums. The 2 1/2 page draft begins by stating the city’s vision, "is one in which, in the future, the city of Fort Smith is recognized throughout the region and the nation as an exceptional community …"

It goes on to state that with "true grit" perseverance, the vision can be achieved by enhancing quality of life, promoting growth, diversifying the economy and uniting people, institutions and government.

"That draft vision statement is what (Wallace Roberts & Todd), the consultants, has crafted," said Brenda Andrews, the city’s senior planner. "The next step now is the steering committee members have been given until Oct. 7 if they have any changes or revisions they want to make to that draft vision statement."

Fort Smith’s Comprehensive Plan was created in 2002 to "guide the growth and progress of the city" for 20 years. An updated plan was one of six strategic priorities the Fort Smith Board of Directors pinpointed at a board retreat two years ago. At a board retreat in July, directors emphasized the need to complete the update.

The steering committee was assembled in March by directors, who will ultimately will be asked to endorse the plan next fall.

According to Wallace Roberts & Todd, more than 400 residents were directly involved in the visioning process through public forums.

When asked what the city’s strengths are, residents most frequently listed "quality of life." The top weakness was the economy and workforce. Residents overwhelmingly cited the downtown and riverfront area as an opportunity, while again pointing to the economy, this time as a threat.

Committee member Bruce King said he was impressed with the age range, from 12 to 80, at the public forums he attended.

"There was a thread of commonality at all the ones I was at," he said.

The committee also touched upon statistics that show residents listed public safety under both the "strengths" and "threats" categories.

"I think people feel Fort Smith is a safe place so far, but there are dangers that it could become much more unsafe," committee member Alex Nguyen said.

The committee’s next meeting is slated for Oct. 21.

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